Electronic device and connector

ABSTRACT

A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed. The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connector includes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage to the internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specific keying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being plugged in, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communication device. The connector interface system also includes a remote connector which provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, provides I/O serial protocol, and to provide an output video. Embodiments of the present invention allow for a standard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cables could be utilized in such a system. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol to control device features. These controls help a user sort and search for data more efficiently within the device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from and is a continuation ofU.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 12/210,022, Sep. 12, 2008; which isa continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 10/833,689, Apr.27, 2004. The entire contents of each are incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

The contents of the following related applications are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes:

(1) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/209,962, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,660,929,issued Feb. 9, 2010, entitled “CONNECTOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR AMULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE” and filed concurrently with the presentapplication;

(2) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/209,970, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,587,540,issued Sep. 8, 2009, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSFERRING STATUSINFORMATION BETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE” andfiled concurrently with the present application; and

(3) U.S. application Ser. No. 12/209,993, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,702,833,issued Apr. 20, 2010, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSFERRING INFORMATIONBETWEEN AN ACCESSORY AND A MULTI-COMMUNICATION DEVICE” and filedconcurrently with the present application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to multi-communication devicesand more particularly to a connector interface system for such devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multi-communication devices are utilized in a variety of environments.What is meant by a multi-communication device is a device such as MP3player, or other type of device that receives video, audio, and avariety of other digital data and can provide an output of the data. Asthese devices proliferate, a connector interface specification becomesmore important, and also insuring that a particular multi-communicationsdevice interfaces appropriately with the appropriate external devicesbecomes more important.

In a typical connector interface, there is a docking connector thatallows for the docking of the multi-communications device to a dockingstation for another type of communication for the device. Amulti-communication device also typically includes a remote connectorwith the ability to output audio. As more multi-media content becomesavailable (i.e., digital video graphics, etc.) it is desirable to have amulti-media device which can effectively input and output such data.

Finally, such an interface typically has some sort of protocol tocontrol device features from an external device and it also is desirablefor the protocol to help the user sort and search for data faster and inan efficient manner. Heretofore, there is no device that includesfeatures that overcome many of the above-stated problems. What isdesired is a connector interface system which is utilized in such adevice to address all the above-identified issues. The present inventionaddresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed.The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connectorincludes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage tothe internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specifickeying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being pluggedin, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communicationdevice. The connector interface system also includes a remote connectorwhich provides for the ability to output audio, input audio, and outputvideo using an I/O serial protocol. Heretofore, all these features havenot been implemented in a connector. Therefore, this would allow for astandard headphone cable to be plugged in but also for special remotecontrol cables, microphone cables, video cables to be utilized in such asystem. The connector interface system also includes a serial protocolto control device features. These controls help a user sort and searchfor data more efficiently within the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a docking connector in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the remote connector in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates the connection pin designations for the dockingconnector.

FIG. 3B illustrates the connection pin designations for the remoteconnector.

FIG. 4A illustrates the Firewire connector interface.

FIG. 4B illustrates the USB connector interface.

FIG. 4C illustrates a reference schematic diagram for accessory detectand identify system for detecting and identifying accessories for thedocking connector.

FIG. 4D is a reference schematic of an electret microphone that iswithin the remote connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to multi-communication devicesand more particularly to a connector interface system for such devices.The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the contextof a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe preferred embodiment and the generic principles and featuresdescribed herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to theembodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent withthe principles and features described herein.

Connector System Overview

To describe the features of the connector system in accordance with thepresent invention in more detail, refer now to the following descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Docking Connector

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a docking connector 100 in accordance withthe present invention. Referring first to FIG. 1A, the keying features102 are of a custom length 104. In addition, a specific key arrangementwhere one set of keys are separated by one length are at the bottom andanother set of keys are separated by another length at the top of theconnector is used. The use of this key arrangement prevents noncompliantconnectors from being plugged in and causing potential damage to thedevice. The connector for power utilizes a Firewire specification forpower. The connector includes a first make/last break contact toimplement this scheme. FIG. 1B illustrates the first make/last breakcontact 202 and also illustrates a ground pin and a power pin related toproviding an appropriate first mate/last break contact. In this example,the ground pin 204 is longer than the power pin 206. Therefore, theground pin 204 would contact its mating pin in the docking accessorybefore the power pin 206. Therefore internal electrical damage of theelectronics of the device is minimized.

In addition, a connector interface system in accordance with the presentinvention uses both USB and Firewire interfaces as part of the samedocking connector alignment, thereby making the design more compatiblewith different types of interfaces, as will be discussed in detailhereinafter. In so doing, more remote systems and devices can interfacewith the multi-communication device.

Remote Connector

The connection interface system also includes a remote connector whichprovides for the ability to output audio, input audio, and output videousing an I/O serial protocol. FIG. 2A is a front and top view of aremote connector 200 in accordance with the present invention. As isseen, the remote connector 200 includes a top headphone receptacle 202,as well as, a second receptacle 204 for remote devices. FIG. 2Billustrates a plug 300 to be utilized in the remote connector. The plug300 allows the features to be provided via the remote connector. FIG. 2Cillustrates the plug 300 inserted into the remote connector 200.Heretofore, all these features have not been implemented in a remoteconnector. Therefore, a standard headphone cable can be plugged in butalso special remote control cables, microphone cables, video cablescould be utilized with the remote connector.

Serial Protocol

The connector interface system also includes a serial protocol. Theprotocol is utilized to allow external devices to control themulti-communication device. These controls help a user sort and displayfor data more efficiently utilizing the device. A representation list ofcontrols includes, but are not limited to:

Next album

Previous album

Next chapter

Previous chapter

Next play list

Previous play list

Shuffle setting advance

Repeat setting advance

Backlight for 30 seconds

Begin fast forward

Begin rewind

To describe the features of the connector interface system in moredetail, please find below a functional description of the dockingconnector, remote connector and a serial protocol in accordance with thepresent invention.

Docking and Remote Connector Specifications

For an example of the connector pin designations for both the dockingconnector and for the remote connector for a multi-communication devicesuch as an iPod device by Apple Inc., refer now to FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG.3A illustrates the connector pin designations for the docking connector.FIG. 3B illustrates the connection pin designations for the remoteconnector.

Docking Connector Specifications

FIG. 4A illustrates a typical FireWire connector interface for thedocking connector:

FireWire Power:

-   -   a) 8V-30V DC IN    -   b) 10W Max

FireWire:

-   -   a) Designed to IEEE 1394 A Spec (400 Mb/s)

FIG. 4B illustrates the USB connector interface.

USB 2.0:

-   -   a) Designed to USB 2.0 High Speed Spec    -   b) The USB Power (pin 8 on the 30-pin connector) is not used for        powering device; only used to detect a USB host connection.

FIG. 4C illustrates a reference schematic diagram for accessory detectand identify system for detecting and identifying accessories for thedocking connector. The system comprises:

-   -   a) A simple resistor to ground allows the device to determine        what has been plugged into docking connector. There is an        internal pullup on Accessory Identify.    -   b) Two pins required (Accessory Identify & Accessory Detect)

Serial Protocol Communication:

-   -   a) Two pins are used to communicate to and from device (Rx & Tx)    -   b) Input & Output (0V=Low; 3.3V=High)    -   c) A device with an identity resistor (ID #13) is a serial dock        accessory.

A device coupled to the docking connector allows for a standard serialprotocol to be utilized. Attaching a serial dock accessory makes anytop-attached (remote connector) accessories inactive.

Line Level Input (Left & Right):

-   -   a) Stereo audio input b) Input Level 1V RMS (max)    -   a) Chassis ground is tied to specified pins    -   b) Digital ground should not be tied to Audio Return

Remote Connector Specifications

Audio Out:

-   -   a) Stereo Output per channel volume controlled by device

Mono Mic In:

-   -   a) Mono mic in through Left channel    -   b) Filtered electret power supplied by internal device

FIG. 4D is a reference schematic of an electret microphone that iswithin the remote connector.

Serial Protocol Communication:

-   -   a) Two pins used to communicate to and from device (Rx & Tx)    -   b) Input & Output (0V=Low, 3.3V=High)

Serial Protocol Protocol Generalities

As previously mentioned, another feature of the present invention is theuse of a serial protocol for allowing features to be implemented forremote devices. In a preferred embodiment, the protocol builds upon asignaling protocol, such as the RS-232 serial specification. However,the signaling levels are nonstandard. In true RS-232, a mark is −7V anda space is 7V. In this protocol, a mark is 3.3V and a space is 1V. Thesignaling rate for this protocol is 19,200 bps. All signaling is at 8bits data, no parity and one stop bit (8-N-1).

This protocol is to be used in both directions of a link. Every deviceis encouraged to implement both sending and receiving capabilities. Itis be possible to determine the direction (host to device or device tohost) of a packet from its contents only. This means that no packet isvalid for sending from both the host and device.

All devices must be able to handle variable-length packets. For example,even though an identify packet currently has no defined data, a devicemust be able to understand an identify packet with data and shouldrespond to the best of its ability. It must at least not lose sync tothe packet signaling.

Lingo Specifications

Lingo ID General 0x00 Microphone 0x01 Simple Remote 0x02 Display Remote0x03 RF transmitter 0x05

The general lingo is shared for housekeeping commands across alldevices. The microphone lingo is used by the remote connector on themulti-communication device. The simple remote lingo is used by astandard in-line remote control. The display remote lingo is reservedfor a device with similar functionality to the standard remote but witha display for status.

General Lingo Specification

Command ID Data Length Request identify 0x00 0x00 Identify 0x01 0x01+

The host may send a request identify to the device to ask the device toreidentify itself.

The device sends an identify packet to identify itself. At this timemultifunction (combo) devices are not supported. The identify datapayload is thus the command ID ×01 followed by a single byte of the samevalue as the lingo specification of the functionality the deviceimplements unless specified otherwise. The identify packet returned inresponse to a request identify packet does not need to have the extrasync bytes and delays used during the startup process.

Simple Remote Lingo Specification

Command ID Data Length Buttons status 0x00 0x00+

A simple remote device sends a buttons status command to indicate anupdated status of which buttons are held down. The data of the packet isa number of bytes indicating which buttons are currently held down. Thebytes are made up by ORing the masks of the buttons together. The devicewill send a 0×00 in data (or no data) to indicate all buttons arereleased. While any buttons are held down the device should repeat thispacket on a predetermined interval. If no packet of this sort isreceived by the host for 200 ms the host may assume a packet was lostand go to “all buttons up” mode.

A representative simple remote button map is shown below:

Simple Remote Button Map

Button Number Byte No, Mask Play/Pause 0 0, 0x01 Volume Up 1 0, 0x02Volume Down 2 0, 0x04 Next Track 3 0, 0x08 Previous Track 4 0, 0x10 NextAlbum 5 0, 0x20 Previous Album 6 0, 0x40 Stop 7 0, 0x80 Play/Resume 8 1,0x01 Pause 9 1, 0x02 Mute toggle 10 1, 0x04 Next Chapter 11 1, 0x08Previous Chapter 12 1, 0x10 Next Playlist 13 1, 0x20 Previous Playlist14 1, 0x40 Shuffle setting advance 15 1, 0x80 Repeat setting advance 162, 0x01 Power On 17 2, 0x02 Power Off 18 2, 0x04 Backlight for 30seconds 19 2, 0x08 Begin FF 20 2, 0x10 Begin REW 22 2, 0x20

The use of the button remote map allows for features that heretoforehave not been utilized in multi-communication devices such as an iPoddevice manufactured by Apple Inc.

A connector interface system for a communication device is disclosed.The interface includes a docking connector. The docking connectorincludes first make/last break contacts that minimize internal damage tothe internal electronics. The docking connector also includes specifickeying arrangement to prevent noncompliant connectors from being pluggedin, and thereby minimizes potential damage to the multi-communicationdevice. The remote connector provides for the ability to output audio,input audio, and output video using an I/O serial protocol. Theconnector interface also includes a serial protocol to control devicefeatures. These controls help a user sort and search for data moreefficiently within the device.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

1. An electronic device having an electronic connector, the electronicconnector comprising: a keying arrangement having first and second setsof keys, the first set of keys being spaced apart by a first length andthe second set of keys being spaced apart by a second length differentthan the first length; and a plurality of contacts including first,second and third ground contacts, first and second power contacts, anaccessory power contact, a USB power contact, a plurality of USB signalcontacts and left and right audio out contacts; wherein when theelectronic connector mates with a corresponding second connectorassociated with an accessory device, at least one of the contacts isactive and the first, second and third ground contacts make contact withground contacts in the second connector before the accessory powercontact makes contact with an accessory power contact in the secondconnector.
 2. The electronic device set forth in claim 1 wherein theplurality of contacts consists of thirty contacts in sequentiallynumbered contact locations, and wherein the first, second and thirdground contacts are at contact locations 2, 16 and 29, respectively. 3.The electronic device set forth in claim 1 wherein the electronicconnector further comprises an accessory detect contact.
 4. Theelectronic device set forth in claim 1 wherein the plurality of USBsignal contacts include a USB D+ signal contact and a second USB D−signal contact.
 5. The electronic device set forth in claim 4 whereinanother digital signal contact is positioned between the USB D+ and USBD− signal contacts.
 6. The electronic device set forth in claim 5wherein the another digital signal contact is a Firewire signal contact.7. The electronic device set forth in claim 5 wherein the plurality ofcontacts consists of thirty contacts in sequentially numbered contactlocations, and wherein the first, second and third ground contacts areat contact locations 2, 16 and 29, respectively.
 8. The electronicdevice set forth in claim 7 further comprising fourth, fifth and sixthground contacts.
 9. The electronic device set forth in claim 8 whereinwhen the electronic connector mates with a corresponding secondconnector associated with an accessory device, the fourth, fifth andsixth ground contacts make contact with ground contacts in the secondconnector before the accessory power contact makes contact with anaccessory power contact in the second connector.
 10. The electronicdevice of claim 8 wherein the accessory power contact provides power outat a first power level and the first and second power input contactsreceive power in at a second power level that is higher than the firstpower level.
 11. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the firstpower level is 3.3 volts.
 12. The electronic device set forth in claim10 wherein the electronic connector further comprises a contact atlocation 20 that can be used to detect if an accessory is connected tothe electronic connector.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1 whereinthe accessory power contact provides power out at a first power leveland the first and second power input contacts receive a power in at asecond power level that is higher than the first power level.
 14. Theelectronic device of claim 13 wherein the first power level is 3.3volts.
 15. The electronic device set forth in claim 14 furthercomprising fourth, fifth and sixth ground contacts.
 16. The electronicdevice set forth in claim 1 wherein the electronic connector furthercomprises first and second serial communication contacts fortransmitting and receiving digital signals with an accessory deviceusing a serial protocol.
 17. The electronic device set forth in claim 16wherein the electronic connector further comprises an accessory identifycontact.
 18. The electronic device set forth in claim 17 wherein theelectronic connector further comprises a resistor coupled between theaccessory identify contact and ground.
 19. The electronic device setforth in claim 16 wherein the plurality of contacts comprise thirtycontacts in sequentially numbered contact positions, and wherein thefirst ground contact is at contact location 2, the third ground contactis at contact location 29, and the second ground contact is between thefirst and third ground contacts.
 20. The electronic device set forth inclaim 19 wherein the electronic connector further comprises left andright audio in contacts.
 21. An electronic device having an electronicconnector, the electronic connector comprising: a keying arrangementhaving first and second sets of keys, the first set of keys arranged ata top of the connector and spaced apart by a first length and the secondset of keys arranged at a bottom of the connector and spaced apart by asecond length different than the first length; and a plurality ofcontacts including first, second and third ground contacts, first andsecond power contacts, an accessory power contact, a USB power contact,a plurality of USB signal contacts and left and right audio outcontacts; wherein the accessory power contact provides power out at afirst power level and the first and second power input contacts receivea power in at a second power level that is higher than the first powerlevel; and wherein the ground contacts are longer than the accessorypower contact so that when the electronic connector mates with acorresponding second connector associated with an accessory device, theground contacts make contact with ground contacts in the secondconnector before the accessory power contact makes contact with anaccessory power contact in the second connector.
 22. The electronicdevice set forth in claim 21 wherein the plurality of contacts comprisesthirty contacts in sequentially numbered contact positions, and whereinthe first and third ground contacts are at contact locations 2 and 29and the second ground contact is between the first and third groundcontacts.
 23. The electronic device set forth in claim 22 wherein theplurality of USB signal contacts includes a USB D+ signal contact and asecond USB D− signal contact and wherein another digital signal contactis positioned between the USB D+ and USB D− signal contacts.
 24. Theelectronic device of claim 23 wherein the first power level is 3.3volts.
 25. The electronic device of claim 24 wherein the plurality ofcontacts further includes fourth, fifth and sixth ground contacts.